Permission-Aware RAG: Enforcing Document ACLs at Retrieval Time

The article says RAG systems should enforce document ACLs during retrieval itself, not after generation or as a post-filter.

It describes an enterprise pattern where chunk-level clearance labels live in the index and retrieval is filtered by verified user clearance before ranking.

Dense and sparse search share one RBAC predicate builder, and CI tests verify that low-clearance users cannot retrieve restricted content.

The piece also warns that clearance must come from verified identity, and semantic caches need to be partitioned by clearance tier.